Bioma Vinha Velha & Pisca
Bioma Vinha Velha - Niepoort
Niepoort released Pisca in 2007 but had to change names to Bioma Vinha Velha in 2008 due to a name conflict. The name change was implemented quite late and there were actually some commercial photos taken of the 2008 Pisca but the name of the wine is Bioma as of 2008.
The Bioma is made of grapes from the vineyard Vinha da Pisca, which also provides the main content of the Niepoort Vintage Ports. The vineyard is more than 80 years old.
Niepoort's intention with the Bioma Vinha Velha is to offer a Vintage Port very like the English-bottled Vintage Ports made in 1970 and before. The port is stored in logde pipes of 550 liters, rather than in large vats, and the wine is bottled after three years instead of the more common two years for Vintage Port. Niepoort emphasise that Bioma is a Single Vineyard Port and not a Single Quinta Vintage Port, and explains that the difference is that most quintas have many individual vineyards.
| Bioma Vinha da Pisca Vintages: | 2017, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Bioma Vinha Velha Vintages: | 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016 |
| Pisca Vintages: | 2007 |
| House | Pisca Niepoort | Vintage | 2007 |
| Colour | Dark ruby colour with a yellow rim. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Red berry, mulberry, mint, fruit and some cedar in the nose. A slight touch of volatile acidity develops after some time in the glass. | Score range | 15.50 - 15.90 |
| Taste | Medium body. Red berry and fruit in taste. Easy to drink and like. Balanced and quite elegant with tannins and an attractive long finish2 | Average score | 15.70 |
| Last tasted | 28th April 2016 | Point this date | 15.90 |
| Comment | At the Big Fortified Tasting in London. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Bioma Vinha Velha Niepoort | Vintage | 2008 |
| Colour | Dark blue in colour. | Number of tastings | 4 |
| Bouquet | Mostly mulberry, black cherry, fruit and some cedar in the nose. Quite dry impression. | Score range | 16.00 - 16.40 |
| Taste | Rather full-bodied. Fruit and berry in flavour. Tannic but sweet and elegant with a promising and long finish. | Average score | 16.20 |
| Last tasted | 22nd April 2016 | Point this date | 16.00 |
| Comment | At the Big Fortified Tasting in London. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Bioma Vinha Velha Niepoort | Vintage | 2009 |
| Colour | Dark blue with a red edge in colour. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Minty, dark berries, mulberry, blackberry and sweet liquorice but also cream candy and spiciness and some cacao in the nose. | Score range | 16.25 - 16.50 |
| Taste | Rather full-bodied. Very concentrated and easy to drink and enjoy but loaded with fruit and soft very round tannins. Dark berry, mulberry and sweet liquorice as well as spiciness in taste. The finish is long, balance and with very attractive acidity and complexity. Will be wonderful to follow! | Average score | 16.38 |
| Last tasted | 21st April 2021 | Point this date | 16.25 |
| Comment | Tasted at home in Second International Online Vintage Tasting with our German Port Friends from World of Port. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Bioma Vinha Velha Niepoort | Vintage | 2013 |
| Colour | Dark ruby in colour. | Number of tastings | 4 |
| Bouquet | Dark berries and mint with some old grocery shop as well as dark chocolate, coffee and a hint of banana in the nose. | Score range | 15.90 - 16.00 |
| Taste | Quite full bodied. Dark chocolate, cacao and dark berry and some mint in flavour. Good tannic structure. Will become better. Balanced and rather complex with a rather long and lovely finish. | Average score | 15.95 |
| Last tasted | 20th April 2023 | Point this date | 15.90 |
| Comment | Tasted at the Big Fortified Tasting in London, Great Britain. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Bioma Vinha Velha Niepoort | Vintage | 2016 |
| Colour | Very dark ruby in colour. | Number of tastings | 4 |
| Bouquet | Interesting with bread, fresh from the oven, roses and of course dark berry such as mulberry. dry cherry, black berry and liquorice in the nose | Score range | 16.25 - 16.50 |
| Taste | Almost full- bodied. Elegant and balanced but of course tannic. Loaded with fruit, liquorice and much more in taste. Compact and elegant with a very long finish and quite sweet aftertaste. Very impressive port which will be nice to follow! | Average score | 16.39 |
| Last tasted | 2nd March 2024 | Point this date | 16.25 |
| Comment | Tasted at the Port Wine Fair in Roskilde, Denmark. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Bioma Pisca Vinho Velha Niepoort | Vintage | 2017 |
| Colour | Ruby in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Cacao, dark chocolate, mature dark berries and some spiciness in the nose. | ||
| Taste | Almost full-bodied. Balanced with a lot of elegant, rounded tannins. Very tasty with dark berries, cacao and spiciness in the mouth. Easy to drink and enjoy already today with a complex and very straight finish! | ||
| Last tasted | 29th November 2019 | Rating this date | Very Impressive |
| Comment | Tasted at the Port Wine Festival in Leverkusen, Germany Port so young we evaluate only as : Good – Very good- Impressive – Very Impressive | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |